Engine Failure, Lifters Collapsed

9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$5,500
Average Mileage:
109,200 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. replace entire engine (2 reports)
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Comments

problem #4

May 222020

Grand Prix GT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 179,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

So I do not have the original engine that was put in the car. I have had it replaced twice back in 2016. As i was driving, the car started making a noise then stopped. I stopped and put gas and the car started making the noise again. It continued to get louder. When I start the car the knock is there. If i accelerate too fast, the noise is LOUD and scary. It's the bearings. Like I said I had engine replaced twice in 2016. Im not doing it again. Im done with this car!!!!!!!! It's the WORST car I have EVER owned.

- Kelly B., Gray, LA, US

problem #3

Feb 092011

Grand Prix LE 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

I have a 9000 dollar Pontiac that is a boat anchor. I didn't drive it for about six months. It was parked in the Garage, battery out and covered. When I decided to start driving it again, I changed the oil, put new plugs in and put the battery back in. I started it and checked for any leaks due to setting and had none. So I took it for a SHORT drive, I emphisize short due to the fact that after driving "normal" for about half a mile it started to make a ticking noise. I immediately turned around and headed home. During this time, the tick became a loud knock and that was about it. I parked it. Checked it out and fired it up again once it cooled down. Knock was even louder. It has to have thrown a main bearing or something.

I have never in my life had an engine die just from setting over a few months during the winter, inside a garage. Now, I am stuck with a car that doesn't run and a car payment on it to boot. I should drive it off the closest cliff I can find and collect the insurance. "Wait, that is illegal, I was just joking, I PROMISE".

- 0311infantrysir, Deer Lodge, MT, US

problem #2

Nov 032010

Grand Prix 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

for a pontiac you would think you are buying parts for a porcha nothing about the 2001 grand prix is a easy or cheap fix unless you get lucky, does or shall i say did pontiac not know that if we wanted to pay out our whole paycheck weekly we would have baught a Ford? lmao. The engine lifters collapsed. My solution was to change the oil and replace 1 of the quarts of oil with lucas.

- Brad D., Rienzi, MS, US

problem #1

Nov 202007

Grand Prix SE 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,729 miles

I started to hear some ticking noise from the engine. Two days later it got worse and acceleration power was being lost especially switching from first to second gear. On the third day the noise got really loud and engine would rev up to 4,500 - 5,000 rpm before switching gears and ticking noise was continually getting louder.. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVER CAME ON!

Next day I brought to dealer. When they started it up they said "that doesn't sound good!" NO SH*T ! I gave them permission to take the top off the engine to look inside. I was told ALL the lifters had collapsed and a seal had given way and coolant had contaminated the engine. no easy way to repair other than replacing the engine for $3,000 for a used motor or $5,500 for new! THERE WAS NO SMELL OF COOLANT AT ANY TIME! I am trying to fight GM Canada. Oil changes were always done regularly. (I even had the Mass Air Flow Sensor replaced 3 months ago because of very rough driving/stalling. I thought these 3.8's were indestructible. I guess I got the "one in million" that had to fail!!

The worst part is after only 5 1/2 years and less than 110,000 KM (68,000 Miles) my $30k car is only worth $5k - IN WORKING ORDER! I need to put more that into it just to get it running again. These Domestic cars depreciate so fast in value it is crazy! So now even if I want to walk away from the car, I owe the dealer over $600 (for taking apart the engine) and I've called a few scrap yards and they won't even offer me enough to cover this bill!!!!!

Do I spend the money to fix and hopefully get my 3 years with the new warranty out of it (unless the tranny goes next!)? Or do I get a new car and have to go back into a big payment again?

One thing is for sure....... I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER GM!!!!!!!!!!!

- Garry K., Brampton, Ontario, Canada

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